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Because there was no rational explanation for Never’s eyes to glow amber. Right?
26
NEVER
It took me a minute to get my bearings. The last thing I remembered was being crushed under the fury of Petra’s shadow when Hook dragged me underwater. I’d had an idea of what he was doing. It was a dull, barely formed idea, but it was there, clinging to his whispered words.
Keep fighting.
Which was exactly what I’d done. The pain was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It was like it came from everywhere; every cell in my body, every atom of oxygen in the air touching my skin, and every cruel thought that tried to slice through my mind, heart, and soul.
The shadow hadn’t been expecting a fight when it had taken my brother. I could feel that as strongly as I could feel its delight when it broke through the barrier of my being and invaded everything that was me.
Blinking up, Hook’s familiar face almost brought a smile to lips. Until I saw the lines around his eyes, and suspicion coloring his devastatingly handsome features.
Oh, fuck no.
I slapped my hands to my head and pinched my eyes shut.Is that fucking thing still in me?It didn’t feel like it. Then again, I didn’t quite feel myself either.
Hello?The hollered thought echoed through my mind.Anyone there?
Yeah, I felt like a Grade A lunatic, but if Petra’s shadow had been there, that mean bastard would have answered my meddling question with a boatload of torture.
But I was the only one living in my brain or body. Or whatever. Even with the thing taking up space inside me, I still didn’t understand where it had holed up.
My relief was a tangible thing. I opened my eyes to see Hook still watching me, looking about as confused as I felt.
“Did I give you a little scare, pirate?” The teasing tone to my voice might have been a little forced, but I didn’t care.
Neither did he, judging by the way he hauled me up off that unforgiving wooden deck and wrapped me in his arms. He was so warm that I could have melted into him. His scruff tickled my cheek, and I wanted to laugh, but the energy pouring out of him was crazy fucking intense.
Then he pulled back, his big hands grabbing me by the shoulders and holding me at arm’s length. “Are you fully… you?” he asked.
I gave him a weak smirk. “Who else would I be?”
His lips flattened in an impatient line. “Now is not the time to play games with me, Never.”
My teasing should have given him the answer, but he’d also used my name. Not love. Apparently, I had given him a fright.
“I’m me,” I said seriously. “Just me.”
He let out a breath, and some of the tension bled from his shoulders. Then he pulled me back into his body, cradling my head against his chest. It was sweet in a heartbreaking way. He was my big, bad pirate. My swashbuckling, sword swinging, siren slashing pirate.
The contrast left me feeling nine kinds of vulnerable.
His heart was beating like a bass drum—wham, wham, wham—reverberating through me. I sank into that beat, listening to the melody it created with the sails flapping in the breeze and the slap of the water against the hull below us.
Somehow, it all sounded like it was coming from his chest. Like hewasthis enchanted realm, and it was him.
“I think that’s my cue to go help William,” Leo said.
I turned to see him, and the last few minutes of my fight with Petra replayed in my head, sending my blood pressure back up. “Jesus fuck, Leo. I am so sorry.” Except sorry didn’t even begin to describe it.
I’d tried to fight the shadow, but once we were back in their world, it was like just being in this place supercharged the thing.
He shook his head. “No apologies. I’m just glad you’re feeling more yourself.” He dropped me a wink.
An amused scoff escaped my lips. How was I supposed to respond to that?Here I am feeling as guilty as hell, and he’s still got it in him to crack jokes.
